15 Maret 2016

Modernized New Zealand Orions to be Updated Again

15 Maret 2016

RNZAF P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (photo : fencecheck)The six Lockheed P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force are to be updated, again. About a year after the final aircraft of the No 5 Squadron returned to its home “pimped” and well, Auckland is now opting for newer sensors.According to a New Zealand defence source the detection and reconnaissance systems for targets underneath the surface (read: submarines) is way too old. If everything goes according to plan, Boeing is going to change that, for tens of millions of dollars.A decade ago the then Labour government decided to modernize the planes, but not some of its main systems. The current centre-right leadership now has to decide about the Orion’s capabilities.The upgrade is expected in the new defence plans to be announced in April this year.(AirHeadsFly)